The qualitative quotient: the importance of applying mixed methods to understand circularity of hospital plastics

Abstract The healthcare sector, while aiming to protect human health and wellbeing, has a significant negative impact on the climate and environment due to massive resource use and waste production. The circular economy (CE), designed to preserve resources in closed-loop value chains, has gained global attention yet lacks practical implementation. This perspective paper discusses the challenges of implementing CE initiatives for single-use plastics (SUPs) in hospitals, with a specific emphasis on practitioner involvement. With a departure in the scientific literature on SUPs in hospitals, which shows to primarily use quantitative methods, such as life cycle assessments and waste audits, this paper suggests using mixed methods to access the day-to-day reality of medical staff and their unique insights on healthcare practices. Lastly, we suggest integrating social elements into CE initiatives at the micro level (e.i. in practice), drawing inspiration from the wellbeing economy.